Yoel Romero says his next three years in fighting will be his last, laying out a retirement run after a brutal debut win at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA in Miami.
The 49-year-old Cuban standout wrestler recently entered Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA and stopped UFC veteran Alex Nicholson in the main event, breaking Nicholson's jaw in the first round. Romero plans to keep competing until age 52.
"I am ready for everyone. I'm ready for them all," Romero said while outlining his timetable. "The Olympic cycle is four years, and I have three left. This is the first year of four. I'm giving it my all and preparing myself way better. If before I prepared well, now it carries an extra, so I can get to my Olympic games – which is to fight until I get to 52. You guys will see, and you guys will be amazed. Listen, I'm talking about important things. You guys will see what I do in these next four years."
Romero, who idolizes Bernard Hopkins, noted that one of his heroes also walked away at 52. He embraced his "The Soldier of God" nickname as he looked ahead.
"Wherever there is blood, honor, glory, and money, you will see 'The Soldier of God,'" Romero said. "You guys won't just see another fighter. Brother, I'm going to assassinate my opponents. With God's forgiveness, I'm assassinating them. I was told at home to let the blood run. It was my daughter and my wife."
